Hundreds of new homes can be built on the northern edge of Yeovil after councillors gave their enthusiastic backing to plans.

The Brimsmore Key Site lies between Thorne Lane and Tintinhull Road, and was allocated for 830 homes under South Somerset District Council's Local Plan.

Part of the site has already been developed, with 262 homes being built at the western end and a new link road running from east to west.

Now construction work on the majority of the remaining site can move forward after councillors approved proposals for 642 homes on either side of the Roman road.

The site lies between Thorne Lane and Tintinhull Road. (Image: Google)

At a meeting of the council's area south committee in Yeovil on Wednesday afternoon (July 4), planning officer Simon Fox confirmed that 35 per cent of the new dwellings would be affordable - the equivalent of 225 homes.

The new estate's local centre - which will include a pub, a doctor's surgery and a new primary school - will be the subject of a separate planning application, which will come before the committee at a later date.

This phase of the key site development will put in place the access roads to these facilities, as well as creating a "sports oval" with new pitches at the north-west corner of the site, as well as two play areas and a multi-use games area (MUGA).

He added, however, that "only time will tell" whether the increased number of homes would lead to more money from the developer towards community facilities, which is secured under Section 106 agreements.

Councillor Peter Gubbins, who chairs the area south committee, described the development as one of the best designed estates I've seen" - and his sentiments were shared by other members.

Councillor Mike Lock - a former Mayor of Yeovil - said: "I have been watching this development come for a long time, and I can only say how pleased we are - what quality it's brought to the north end of Yeovil, it's an absolute credit to Mr Bishop and the builders.

"Everything they've said that they are going to do, they've done."

Councillor Peter Seib added: "It has been a pleasure to be able to experience place-making as it's supposed to be.

"The developers have bent over backwards to make sure they do the job properly and bring the community along with them."